Our leadership

Vice Provost Jeffrey Riedinger

Dr. Riedinger has leadership and administrative responsibility for the University’s diverse global programming including support for international research, study abroad, student and faculty exchanges, and overseas centers. He also serves on the faculty of the University of Washington School of Law, and is a member of the Board of Directors and Vice President for Scholarship and Institutional Strategy for NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

An expert on the political economy of land reform, sustainable agriculture and natural resource management, Vice Provost Riedinger has carried out research in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Central America and the Middle East. He has conducted briefings on foreign aid, land reform and other development issues for members of the White House staff, state department and USAID personnel, members of Congress, the World Bank, non-governmental organizations and private foundations. His publications include two books and more than 30 articles, chapters, reviews and monographs. Most recently, he co-authored an article featured in China Economic Review.

A native of Washington, Dr. Riedinger earned a Juris Doctorate from the UW School of Law as well as master’s and doctoral degrees from Princeton University. He previously served as Dean of International Studies and Programs and faculty member at Michigan State University.

Associate Vice Provost Gayle Christensen

Dr. Christensen manages global initiatives and directs strategic priorities for the Vice Provost, working collaboratively with colleges, schools and centers across the UW to further their global efforts.

As an expert in comparative education, Dr. Christensen has served as a consultant and researcher in the U.S. and abroad for organizations including the World Bank, Urban Institute and the Bertelsmann Foundation. Her recent research has focused on the global reach of Massive Open Online Courses and has appeared in such publications as Nature andThe Atlanticand online at Slate. Her research has been featured across major media outlets including Harvard Business Review, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Prior to coming to the UW, Dr. Christensen spent a decade working in international education. At the University of Pennsylvania, she served as the inaugural Executive Director for Penn Global. There, she developed a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening Penn’s global engagement. As an adjunct faculty member, she taught a seminar on comparative higher education policy. She holds a master’s degree from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and a master’s and doctoral degree from Stanford University.

UW Study Abroad Director Wolfram Latsch

As Director of UW Study Abroad, Dr. Latsch oversees the UW’s study abroad programs and student exchanges. In this role he works with departments, faculty, staff and other key partners across the university to envision, create and promote a wide variety of global educational opportunities for UW students.

An economist by training, Dr. Latsch has taught economics and international studies at the University of Oxford, Northwestern University and at the UW, receiving several teaching awards. His academic expertise is in development economics and economic history, especially of sub-Saharan Africa and Britain. He directed the BA and MA programs in International Studies at the UW’s Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies where he had appointments as lecturer, professor, and Director of Academic Services until 2018.

A native of Germany, Dr. Latsch holds master’s and doctoral degrees in economics from the University of Oxford.